Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 68: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the Amnesty International Report 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18644/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Amnesty International Report 2005 documents the human rights situation in 149 countries around the world. The report was launched last week and is currently being studied in my Department. It provides a very useful overview of the human rights situation around the globe.

The Government shares Amnesty International's concern for the effective promotion and protection of human rights globally. I have met Amnesty International since assuming my role as Minister for Foreign Affairs and my officials are in ongoing contact with Amnesty International regarding a wide range of human rights issues.

In addition Amnesty International is represented on the Department of Foreign Affairs NGO standing committee on human rights. This committee provides a formal framework for a regular exchange of views between the Department and representatives of the NGO community.

Furthermore, Ms. Irene Khan, the Secretary General of Amnesty International gave the key note address at the annual Department of Foreign Affairs NGO forum on human rights, which took place in Dublin last December. Officials in my Department are currently examining the Amnesty International Report in detail and will consider it in the context of their ongoing work in the field of human rights, both at EU level and at UN level.